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The Eastern Echo Monday, June 29, 2026 | Print Archive
The Eastern Echo

Sports

EMU Men's Basketball vs. Toledo

Christian Henry, Eagles shine in tune up against Central State, 85-63

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21 points from Christian Henry (Chicago, Ill./The Skill Factory/Panola College), 18 points from Da’Sean Nelson (Toledo, Ohio/Robert S. Rogers/Kilgore College/DePaul) and an additional 13 points from Jalin Billingsley (Cleveland, Ohio/Lutheran East/Georgetown) was more than enough to power the Eastern Michigan basketball team to a dominant showing over Central State in a preseason outing at the George Gervin GameAbove Center, 85-63.


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Eagles host Toledo in final home game Saturday, seek bowl eligibility

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The Eastern Michigan University football team prepares for a pivotal final home game against the University of Toledo on November 2. This game is crucial for both teams' bowl eligibility as they aim to recover from recent losses. Head coach Chris Creighton emphasizes the challenge of Toledo's potent offense while highlighting the Eagles' strong home-field advantage and solid defensive performance.


soccer

The Eastern Eagles soccer team strikes again securing a 1-0 victory

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Eastern Michigan University's soccer team celebrated a hard-fought home victory over Kent State on Sunday, Oct. 27, edging out the competition with a 1-0 win. A swift goal by Maddie O'Farrell in the 4th minute and a solid defensive stand, highlighted by crucial saves from goalkeeper Ella Holland, secured the Eagles' eighth shutout of the season.


Mariana Vega crouches on golf course to think while gazing off into the distance.

Savannah De Bock leads women’s golf to EMU record in Hawaii

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Savannah De Bock (Ecaussinnes-d’enghien, Belgium/Institut de l’Enfant-Jésus-Lycée/Georgia) shined once more in the Rainbow Wahine Invitational held at the Kapolei Golf Course in Kapolei, Hawaii; but the rest of the Eastern Michigan women’s golf team were no slouches either - five of her teammates putting in career low 54 hole scores to help the program put up an 879 total score, besting their previous record total of 880 set in 2015. 


Kate Robinson runs across the soccer field with another teammate on a sunny day.

Eastern Michigan's soccer team travels to Bowling Green leave with a 0-0 tie

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In a hard-fought defensive battle on Thursday, Oct. 24, Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green played a 0-0 tie at Cochrane Stadium, marking the Eagles' seventh shutout. Despite both teams struggling to score, Eastern's defense, led by standout goalie Ella Holland and critical contributions from defenders, set the stage for a promising matchup against Kent State on Sunday, Oct. 27, where they will aim to extend their unbeaten home streak.


Homecoming Game 2024 6

Eagles aim for bowl eligibility as football team clashes with Zips

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Fresh off a thrilling Homecoming victory, the Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-2, 2-1 MAC) look to secure bowl eligibility with a win against the Akron Zips (1-6, 0-3 MAC) on Oct. 26. With momentum from their recent comeback victory, the Eagles aim to continue their strong performance in a pivotal Mid-American Conference showdown.


Pat O'Conner

EMU alum Pat O'Connor makes impact in first game with Lions

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EMU alumnus Pat O'Connor debuted for the Detroit Lions in their 31-29 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, stepping up from the practice squad to fill in for injured defensive starters. O'Connor, who previously earned First Team All-MAC honors at Eastern Michigan, contributed two assisted tackles in his first-ever game with the Lions.


Eastern Michigan University midfielder Sophia Baumann runs on a green soccer field during a match. Above her is a yellow banner with the word "soccer" written in dark blue text.

Eagles drop soccer road match at Northern Illinois, 2-1

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While the Eastern Michigan University soccer team struck first via a goal from redshirt sophomore Sophia Baumann towards the end of the first half, Northern Illinois responded with two second half goals of their own and held on to claim victory over the Eagles, 2-1. 


An Eastern Michigan player, the quarterback, holds the ball and surveys the field against Central Michigan.

EMU football overcomes 18-point deficit to defeat CMU in homecoming win to remember

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Eastern Michigan University staged a dramatic comeback during their Homecoming game against Central Michigan University, overcoming an 18-point deficit to secure a 38-34 victory. Quarterback Cole Snyder led the charge with three touchdown passes, while the defense delivered critical stops to seal the win, marking Head Coach Chris Creighton’s record-setting 33rd MAC victory.



Eastern Michigan vs. Miami Ohio 6

Eastern Michigan Eagles gear up for homecoming game against CMU

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This Saturday, Oct. 19, the Eastern Michigan University Eagles will celebrate the 96th Homecoming game as they take on the Central Michigan University Chippewas at Rynearson Stadium. With both teams eager to rebound from recent losses, the game promises to be a thrilling showdown as EMU aims to honor its rich history and alums while vying for the coveted Michigan MAC Trophy.


Soccer

Eagles earn 1-1 draw in soccer showdown with Western Michigan

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Eastern Michigan University soccer battled to a 1-1 draw against Western Michigan, thanks to a crucial 86th-minute goal from Secora Johnson. Despite facing 15 shots and 12 corner kicks, the Eagles’ defense, anchored by goalkeeper Ella Holland, held firm, extending their unbeaten home streak to seven matches.



Delbert Mimms

Delbert Mimms III: Journey from the ACC to the MAC

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Delbert Mimms III, a standout running back and transfer from North Carolina State, is making waves at Eastern Michigan University after his journey from the ACC to the MAC. Embracing his leadership role and aiming for greatness, Mimms has quickly become a key player for the Eagles, demonstrating his skills on the field while mentoring younger teammates.

Eastern Michigan University’s “Enlighten U” has been ranked the top mental health podcast in Michigan by FeedSpot, a platform that compiles blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, newsletters and other sites in one location.

“Enlighten U” is a podcast geared toward students who are experiencing mental health challenges. Melissa Thrasher, EMU's executive director of media relations and social media, and Lolita Cummings, an EMU public relations professor, serve as the co-hosts. Each episode is released around the 15th of every month and features a student or alum and a subject-matter professional.

Lolita Cummings in an interview with The Echo said that this is not the first time the No. 1 mental health podcast in Michigan has been awarded to "Enlighten U."

"We've been the No. 1 mental health podcast in Michigan from the very beginning," Cummings said. "I think it's an indicator of the fact that what we are trying to do, we are doing well, and that is important."

At the start of each "Enlighten U" episode, Cummings and Thrasher state that the "Enlighten U" podcast is an award-winning show.

"A couple of years ago, I won the best in PR for good campaign from Public Relations Society of America for the marketing and promotions program, because it's important that we get this, the word, out to everyone and about the podcast," Cummings said.

Thrasher and Cummings are both extremely proud of their podcast, but these awards and recognitions are not why they continue with it.

It is important to Cummings that she serves all of her students' needs. She noticed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of many of her students was declining. When the students came back after the pandemic, Cummings noticed that her students' mental health was even worse. Due to this, she began brainstorming with one of her students about how she could help.

"She [the student] said to me, 'We watched a lot of podcasts while we were off.' So I said, 'Okay, I don't know anything about podcasts, but I will meet you all where you are.' So that's where the idea came from," Cummings said. "I am able to not just serve their academic needs, but I'm also able to serve their mental health needs. And to get the feedback from them, that is really helping, and is everything to me because the students are the ones who tell us what issues are impacting the most. Those are the issues that we bring to the table at 'Enlighten U.'"

Cummings encourages students to not only watch and listen to "Enlighten U" but to also spread the word about the podcast.

"One of the things we want to do is get the word out about this podcast to as many people as possible, across the nation, across the world," she said. "The need is not limited to our campus — the need is universal; it is worldwide. My goal at this point is obviously to continue to produce quality shows that reflect the mental health challenges that students are facing, but also get it out to wider audiences so we can help more people."

For those who are interested in engaging with "Enlighten U," the podcast can be found on YouTube and Spotify.